Storage receptacle



Oct. 1, 1929. M. LUERY I 1,729,953

I STORAGE RECEPTACLE Filed July 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 1,1929. I MQLUERY 1,729,953

STORAGE RECEPTACLB Fiied July 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Media/ell, 666739 Patented Oct. 1, 1929 MICHAEL LU'ERY, or cnrcaeo, rumors STORAGE RECEIETAGLE Application filed July 18,

My invention relates in general to storage receptacles. It relates particularly to a storage receptacle adapted to hold hats for safe keeping, I

Among the principal objects of the invention is the provision of an improved storage receptacle adaptedto be collapsed into a small space when not in use.

Another object is to produce a receptacle of this kind which is self-supporting but at the same time easily collapsible.

Another object is to produce a receptacle of this general type designed to be hung up on a hook or placed on a shelf and in either 1.; position to protect the contents thereof.

Another object is too provide an improved self-supporting receptacle formed principally of fabric and being designed so that the fabric may be removed for cleaning.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 shows one embodiment ofthe inven- 2 tion in folded position;

Fig. 2 shows the same article in a posltion for use as a receptacle;

Fig. 3 shows a portion'of the framework removed from the fabric form;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view showing the manner in which the fabric is secured to the frame at the rear thereof, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detailed View of a portion of the frame.

A hat box embodying the main feature of the invention comprises a fabric form with a framework positioned on the inside thereof for expanding the form to box-like shape and supporting it in such a way that the en- 4 tire structureis self-sustaining. It may be hung from a hook by means of a strap loop provided for the purpose or it may be placed upon a shelf with equal facility and maintain the same protective relationship with the hats'or other articles contained therein. The frame-is collapsible and removable from the fabric outer structure so that this portion of the box may be washed or a new one supplied with the same frame. A simple'fastener is used to attach the fabric to the frame and 1927. Serial No. 206,452.

to hold down the flaps provided over the front openings in the box.

In the specific embodiment shown, the box designated by the reference character 10 may be folded into compact form as illustrated in Fig. 1 or expanded for usein themanner shown in Fig. 2; It may be formed with any number of compartments but the drawings show a two compartment box formed with a single partition 11 therebetween. Flaps 12 and 13 are provided for the upper and lower compartments and are adapted to be held to the mainbody of the box by snap fasteners 14, one member of which is secured to the flap and the other to the body of the fabric form.

Fig. 3 shows the framework for a single compartment, this framework being duplicated for each added compartment as the number thereof is increased. The framework comprises a lower rectangular member 16 and an upper member 17, spacers 18-18 being pivoted on the upper frame member 17 and having end slots 19 adapted to engage over the edge of the member 16. The spacers 18 are adapted to fold-up along the frame member 17 in telescoped relation when the box is folded. These spacers are shown two on each side portion of the frame member 14 but it is obvious that they may be hinged in other ways and have a modified form and an expanding and collapsible result obtained. The frame members may be made of any suitable material such as a mild spring steel. suitably finished to prevent rusting orv of a nickel silver or other nickel alloy. Each frame member is formed of a continuous strip of material formed with four right angular bends and riveted together by rivets 21 to make a continuous band.

. The frame is placed within the fabric form by inserting the same through the'opening covered by the flap 12 or 13 as the case may be. Assuming that the framework is to be placed in the upper compartment, the lower frame member 16 is extended through the opening so that its corners correspond with and fit into the corners in the fabric form or outer covering. A snap fastener connection is provided to hold this frame memberin place, the male portion being secured to the frame and the female portion to the fabric. At the front of the box, a single fastener is provided, the portion on the frame being designated by the reference character 22 while that on the fabric is designated by the reference character 23. At the rear of the box, fastener members 24 are provided on the frame. These fasteners are snapped when the lower frame member is put in place. At the upper part of the compartment, snap fasteners of the same character are provided, the member on the front of the form being designated by the reference character 26, while that on the frame cooperating therewith is 26. At the rear of the box are fasteners 27, while on the frame are complemental fasteners 2'1".

The upper frame member is inserted through the opening in the compartment and the fasteners snapped together in the same manner as for the lower frame member. Now the spacers 18 are: swung around on their pivots in such a manner that the end slots 19 engage the edges of the frame member 16. They are forced down and around their respective pivots until they are substantially at right angles to the plane of the frame members. This compartment of the box or receptacle will then be expanded .to a rigid and self-sustaining structure and will be tight all around on all sides. The structure is duplicated for each additional compartment and the framework therein is assembled in the same way. The only distinction is that where a number of compartments are provided, a single partition serves as the top of one compartment and the bottom of the Other. i

The material used for the fabric portion of the box will vary a great deal, depending upon the case of the user. I have found that a good grade of brightly figured cotton is not only durable enough for the purpose but also has apleasing appearance and is sufficiently dense so it is not apt to permit dust or the like to pass therethrough and lodge on the articles contained within the box. A loop strap 28 is sewed to the top of the fabric for furnishing means for hanging the box to a hook. This strap may be formed of any suitable material but an agreeable efiect is obtained when it is made to match the other material of the box. The middle and lower partitions are preferably formed of a somewhat heavier material than the body of the structure. A light duck or other similar material answer the purpose very nicely. Since it is not necessary that this portion of the box bear any design, it is preferable that it be a plain white.

It is obvious that the details of my invention may be modified without departing from the same. The structure described is clesigned as a hat box, and is so referred to in the claims. Manifestly, however, it may be used for other purposes, without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. A receptacle of the character described comprising a fabric form with a plurality of compartments therein, a single partition forming a separating means between each pair of compartments, and a separate removable frame in each compartment for expanding the same, so that the entire receptacle is self-sustaining, the frame in each compartment adapted to be collapsed so that the entire receptacle may be folded into a small space.

2. A receptacle of the character described comprising a fabric outer covering of rectangular form, and having an open side with a pendent flap over the same, a pair of rectangu'lar frame members one at the top and the other at the bottom of the receptacle releasably secured to the fabric covering and spacers detachable with respect toone frame .member and movable with respect to the other, the spacers being disposed between the frame members for expanding the same and cooperating with the fabric covering to produce a self-sustaining body.

3. A receptacle comprising a fabric outer covering of rectangular form and having an open side with a pendent flap for closing the same, a rectangular lower frame member releasably secured in the low-er portion of the receptacle, a rectangular frame member releasably secured above the same, and spacers pivotally secured to the upper frame member and having end slots therein for engagement with the lower frame member.

4. A receptacle as defined in claim 3 wherein a plurality of compartments are provided for said receptacle with a single fabric partition between compartments, and a separate frame assembly in each compartment, so that any one or all of the compartments may be made self-sustaining, or any one or all collapsed for folding.

5. A receptacle of the character described comprising a fabric outer form and a colcomprising a single fabric body of rectangular shape with a plurality of rectangular compartments, each compartment having an opening provided with a pendant flap adapted to be closed by snap fasteners'secured thereon and on the fabric body and a single fabric partition being provided between adj acent compartments, and a plurality of frame members, one assembly for each compartment, removably secured Within the compartment by snap fasteners, each separate frame unitbeing separately collapsible so that any one or all of said compartments may be made self sustaining and aid in supporting the structure as a whole, or any one or all of said compartments may be collapsed for folding.

7. A receptacle of the character described comprising a single fabric body of rectangular shape with a plurality of rectangular compartments, each compartment having an opening provided with a pendant flap adapted to be closed by snap fasteners secured thereon and on the fabric body, and a single fabric partition being provided between adjacent compartments, and a plurality of collapsible inner frame members therefor, each of said frame members comprising apair of marginal frame members in the shape of rectangular ribbon-like bands of metal with a plurality of spacing braces pivoted to one marginal frame member, said braces being ribbon shaped sections of metal with their free ends formed S-shape resulting in the production of end slots in which the other marginal frame member is designed to extend when the frame is in expanded position, a pair of frame members being provided for each compartment one at the top and the other at the bottom, removably held therein by snap fasteners.

8. A receptacle of the character described comprising a fabric outer covering of rectangular form wit-h one open side provided with a pendant flap for closing the same, a rectangular frame member removable through the open side releasably secured to the fabric body and adapted to be expanded to fill the form, and hanging means secured to the top of the receptacle so that the receptacle may be hung up to contain an article independent of its adjustment, or set down as an ordinary receptacle when the frame member is expanded.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 18th day of June, 1927.

MICHAEL LUERY. 

